Portage Police are seeking the public’s help in clearing three cold-case
homicides.

“Although much effort has gone into these investigations, the desired
results have not been reached yet,” Police Chief Troy Williams said in a
statement released today.

“Someone out there knows something about each of these homicides,” Williams
added.

“I would like personally to ask the public for their help in bringing a
resolution to these unsolved homicides,” Williams said. “You have assisted
us before in closing cases and I’m positive that your help will be fruitful
again.”

Anyone with information about the following three cases is asked to contact
Det. Capt. Joe Reynolds at (219) 764-5704. All callers may remain anonymous.

Bradley Bothwell

On Thursday, June 29, 2006, Bradley Bothwell , a 42-year-old white male, was
found dead in a field behind the Walgreen’s at U.S. Highway 6 and
Willowcreek Road. Bothwell was last seen at the Wal-Mart, in the days
leading to his murder.

Jeremiah Higgins

On Friday, May 15, 2009, Jeremiah Higgins was shot to death at his Canden
Ave. apartment.

According to a witness, an unknown female knocked on the door, asking for
“Tommy.” Then an unknown male pushed by Higgins’ roommate, again asked for
“Tommy,” and wanted to know where “the money” was. Higgins intervened to
save his roommate and his girlfriend and was shot in the struggle. “Prior to
leaving, the male suspect still demanded to see “Tommy” and “the money.”

The male suspect was described as a dark-skinned black male in his late
teens or early twenties, with an athletic build, 6’ 0’’ to 6’ 3’’ in height.
He had no visible tattoos or scars and no facial hair. He wore his hair very
short but not shaved. His skin was described as being nearly the color of
dark chocolate.

The female suspect is described as being medium skinned, possibly a Hispanic
or a light-skinned black woman, in her early to mid-twenties, 5’ 5’’ to 5’
7’’ in height, with long black hair.

Police are warning, however, that the two suspects’ appearances may have
changed in the last four years.

Wilson Rivera

At 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, Wilson Rivera, a 38-year-old Hispanic
male, was shot to death near his vehicle, parked just north of the railroad
tracks in the 2100 block of Crisman Road. Rivera was last seen on Sunday,
Dec. 9, in the Woodland Village mobile home community.